Posted by Mark H. on November 9, 2000, at 21:54:16
In reply to Q? - Re: Long, Depressing Response MarkH., posted by dj on November 8, 2000, at 20:11:20
Dear dj,
I know what you mean. I'm bipolar II, but for a long time I worried that I was probably "undiagnosed something else" as well. Neurotic, anxious, obsessive, schizophrenic, a mental time bomb waiting to explode?
Relief came unexpectedly easily. The "diagnosis" self-tests available at the Canadian site www.mentalhealth.com take about 45 minutes to complete, and while diagnosing me as Bipolar II and somewhat ADD, they also ruled out all the other things I was concerned about. (And I should note that the self-tests confirmed my psychiatrist's diagnosis of bipolar II, as well.)
I was writing about depression while in transition from down to up. In August and September, I can't write at all. By mid-December, I should be my most goofy hypomanic self. But even then, mixed states are common, and I can go from being the clown to despairing in the wink of an eye at times, especially if my "humor" unintentionally offends someone whose opinion is important to me. Everything seems to increase, including my sense of emotional vulnerability. Does any of this resonate with you?
Several people on this list helped me enormously last spring during a particularly intense hypomanic episode, the closest I've come to be manic I think. They reminded me not to stay up all night when I feel "too good," and not to trash my routine. When I felt I was going out the top, they directed me to my pdoc, who let me use Zyprexa to stabilize. As it turned out, I only needed to take it for about 10 days to 2 weeks, and my body gave me clear indications when it was time to stop taking it and resume my normal med regimen. But these guys really helped me through it.
How are you doing? Does your depression cycle on a regular basis? What meds are you taking, have you tried, and what works for you?
Thanks for your kind, kindred comments.
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:838
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001031/msgs/2439.html